Times and titles are changingNovember 15, 2017Over the past few years, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) has stepped into a number of conversations that have spurred great debate in the community: transitioning from the term “veterinary technician” to “veterinary nurse.”
SPONSORED CONTENTDiet trials useful in diagnosing canine itchingFrequent itching in dogs is one of the most common dermatological issues seen by veterinarians. Left untreated, it can be distressing to pets and owners alike, and potentially lead to more serious health issues. +
Next-gen clinicsNovember 14, 2017Today's veterinarians seek to create diverse hospital models that meet growing clinic and client demands. We look at how a progressive practice embraces facility upgrades and fosters an enhanced customer experience.
The case of the enforced noncompete clauseNovember 13, 2017The seller of a veterinary practice in Mount Pleasant, Pa., recently learned this the hard way. The case, Joseph v. O’Laughlin, illustrates the importance of noncompete agreements to buyers of veterinary practices—and the consequences of violating these pacts.
Jaguar Health receives AAVSB RACE approval for foal CENovember 13, 2017Jaguar Health Inc., a manufacturer of gastrointestinal products for both human prescription use and animals, announced today that the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) committee has reviewed and approved Jaguar's "Diarrhea in Foals" continuing education (CE) program as meeting the standards adopted by the AAVSB. The company's "Diarrhea in Foals" program has been approved by the AAVSB RACE committee to offer a total of 1.50 CE credits to each participating veterinarian or veterinary technician. The program may be repeated by Jaguar within the two-year program approval period at different locations and/or on different dates, with advance notice to AAVSB. "Participation in CE programs helps veterinarians and veterinary technicians remain apprised of current and cutting-edge veterinary care and helping veterinary professionals expand their clinical knowledge and learn about new technology helps them take better care of their patients," said Siobhan McAuliffe, MVB, DACVIM. Dr. McAuliffe served as the primary investigator for clinical studies conducted in 2015 for Neonorm™ Foal, Jaguar's plant-based antidiarrheal product for newborn horses.
Dispelling myths about entrepreneurship and practice ownershipNovember 7, 2017I had the rare opportunity to speak with Michael Gerber, management guru and best-selling author of The E-Myth Revisited and the E-Myth book collection, who recently co-wrote The E-Myth Veterinarian with Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA, executive director of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association.
Restrictive covenant: Mobile veterinarians and their vehiclesNovember 7, 2017 Like most domesticated animals, Maine coon cats require periodic care and treatment from a veterinarian. For my first Maine coon cat, I drove to the veterinarian's office, which was a stand-alone fixed brick-and-mortar location. However, for my second cat, my veterinarian brought her office to me in a vet mobile, a full-service veterinary hospital on wheels. This type of moving mobile practice can present some challenges when trying to construct and enforce reasonable and enforceable geographic restrictions for a noncompete or a nonsolicit. Wherever I may roam In Heiderich v. Florida Equine Veterinary Services Inc. (2012), an equine veterinarian entered into a one-year employment agreement that included a two-year post-termination noncompete. Dr. Heiderich was prohibited from owning, managing, being employed by, assisting, participating in, or having any material interest in any business or profession engaged in a general equine veterinary practice, located within a 30-mile radius of her former employer's place of business (a fixed, brick-and-mortar location). Heiderich resigned, opened her own office outside the 30-mile radius, but traveled to treat horses located within the 30-mile radius. The trial court issued a temporary injunction against her. It found that her office outside the 30-mile radius was of "no …
AVMA delegates adopt amended telemedicine policyOctober 20, 2017“Unanimous” with 140 “yea” votes is how Lori Teller, DVM, DABVP, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) board member, described the vote by members of the house of delegates (HOD) as they adopted a new telemedicine policy at the 2017 Convention in Indianapolis.
Brave new digital worldOctober 20, 2017When queried bout telemedicine, veterinary practitioners and professionals will differentiate between its two schools of thought: Telemedicine used for consulting with specialists, and the type where a practitioner looks at video of a patient’s limp sent by a client via smartphone.
How do top practices increase profitability?October 19, 2017Veterinarians have a bleak outlook of their current state of financial affairs and of their future prospects, according to a 2013 landmark study* that presented financial health data of practitioners at different ages and phases of their careers.
10 ways to protect your clinic's cash flowOctober 19, 2017 Veterinary clinic cash flow is challenged by several factors, but broken down, it's simple: how much comes in versus how much goes out. Here are 10 ways your practice can immediately take control of its cash flow. If your practice is hemorrhaging money, you must immediately staunch the flow. You cannot save your way to success, but you should still be conscious of what you are spending. By controlling your spending and saving on extraneous things, your practice will be able to spend more money where it counts, such as equipment and human resources. Plus, you must identify cash that is lost because it was never collected in the first place. The countdown to controlling clinic cash flow starts now. No. 10: Create a budget If you're like most, you just cringed a little when you read the word "budget." As much as they're disliked, budgets are a vital tool in your practice's path to success. Your accounting software and/or your accountant should be able to help you get started if you are unsure how to begin. Adhering to a budget allows you to project potential income and expenses, avoid shortcomings and build in a safety net …
